TWO MEN CONVICTED OF CRUELTY TO "PUPPY"

Justin Whitwell, 44, and franklyn Thomas Hunt, 50, both of Gosnells, were convicted of animal cruelty after they failed to take Puppy to a vet after she sustained injuries from being hit my a motor vehicle on 16 April 2013.

One witness saw Mr Hunt pick up the dog; it snapped at him and he threw the dog to the ground, bent over and began to punch it repeatedly as a form of retaliation.

Mr Whitwell, who owned Puppy, then came out with a cardboard box, picked up Puppy and then left her inside the box until she passed away the following morning.

A post mortem revealed that Puppy had sustained significant injuries as a result of the motor vehicle accident, including multiple fractures and acute internal bleeding.

When investigated by an RSPCA Inspector as to why Mr Hunt and Mr Whitwell didn’t take Puppy to the vet for treatment, Mr Whitwell indicated that he was not able to afford it; whilst Mr Hunt stated that he didn’t know there was a vet open at that time of the evening.

Mr Whitwell was fined $2,500 and prohibited from owning any animal for 10 years. He was also ordered to pay over $1287 in costs.

Mr Hunt was fined $6,000 and also prohibited from owning any animal for 10 years. He was also ordered to pay costs of $406.

Chief Inspector Amanda Swift said that both men were irresponsible and that Puppy was denied the basic requirement of urgent medical attention.

"Puppy was clearly suffering terribly from the impact of the vehicle. Again we remind people, pet ownership comes with responsibilities. If you are unable to meet these for any reason, then please, do not get a pet. If you can no longer afford or care for your pet then seek out alternatives whether that be through family, friends or a rescue organisation" said Chief Inspector Swift.

RSPCA would like to thank City of Gosnells Rangers for their assistance with this matter.

Two men were convicted of animal cruelty charges in the Armadale Magistrates Court yesterday for cruelty to a young Jack Russell terrier cross named ‘Puppy’.